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Charlie Appleby outlines plans for top three-year-olds Adayar and Hurricane Lane

Adayar and William Buick cross the line to win the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot
Adayar: backed up his Derby win with victory in the King George at Ascot on SaturdayCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Adayar is next set to be tested over the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe course and distance after trainer Charlie Appleby outlined a provisional plan to run Saturday's Ascot superstar in the Prix Niel on September 12, with Hurricane Lane earmarked for the Cazoo St Leger 24 hours earlier.

The runaway Derby winner became the first horse since Galileo 20 years ago to follow up in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, defeating Mishriff and Love in a performance that confirmed the excellent impression he made at Epsom.


Who is better – Hurricane Lane or Adayar? Our experts have their say


Bookmakers reacted by cutting him to 4-1 for the Arc at Longchamp on October 3, a race Adayar's Godolphin stable companion Hurricane Lane could potentially swerve if having an excessively tough time in the St Leger. That is set to be the Irish Derby winner's first outing since he ran away with the Grand Prix de Paris on July 14.

Hurricane Lane is a best-priced 7-4 favourite for the final Classic and between 9-2 and 7-1 in Arc betting that is headed by dual Oaks winner Snowfall.

Hurricane Lane: the St Leger is his main target with the Arc not a certainty
Hurricane Lane: the St Leger is his main target with the Arc not a certaintyCredit: Scoop Dyga/France Galop

Appleby said: "This is only a plan in pencil so far, but as Adayar hasn't yet done any travelling we are looking at sending him to Paris for the Prix Niel. That will give him experience of travelling but also experience of the Arc track.

"Hurricane Lane has already won at Longchamp, so the likelihood is that he will be trained for the St Leger."

The trainer added: "Both those races are three weeks before the main event but we would have to assess the extent to which the two horses are put to the sword at Doncaster and Longchamp before taking a decision about the Arc.

"You would hope and imagine Adayar wouldn't have too hard a race in the Niel, so if Hurricane Lane did have a hard race in the Leger, he might be the one we start thinking about waiting another year to run in the Arc."


Read more:

Awesome Adayar becomes first Derby hero to win King George since Galileo

King George analysis: 'Adayar might not be the best colt in his stable'

'He keeps getting quicker' – Buick so sweet on Hurricane Lane after Paris rout

'It's mad, it's crazy' – Adam Kirby revels in breakthrough Classic on Adayar


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Lee MottersheadSenior writer

Published on 27 July 2021inNews

Last updated 14:42, 28 July 2021

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